Family of fraternity hazing victim to get nearly $1M from Virginia school

A Virginia college has agreed to pay an almost $1 million settlement to the household of a 19-year-old scholar who died after a fraternity hazing incident the place he was compelled to drink a big bottle of whiskey.

A Fairfax County decide signed off on the settlement between Virginia Commonwealth College and the household of freshman Adam Oakes — who died of alcohol poisoning after a Delta Chi frat occasion on Feb. 27, 2021.

Along with the $995,000 cost, the varsity agreed to implement reforms to fraternity and sorority life, it mentioned in an announcement Friday.

These embrace a slew of latest measures aimed to cease hazing, reminiscent of prohibiting alcohol at Greek life events attended by new members. College students should even have accomplished 12 credit, attend member schooling and meet different necessities earlier than they’ll be part of a frat or sorority.

“Nothing can take away the ache of shedding somebody so liked,” the household and college mentioned in a joint assertion, including, “Our settlement honors his reminiscence, and our objective is that it’s going to assist save lives sooner or later.”

VCU designated Feb. 27 as annual hazing prevention day, in addition to a day of remembrance for Oakes — for whom the varsity will create an on-campus memorial.

“This can be a blueprint to foster a safer and more healthy neighborhood for college students who’re a part of fraternities and sororities and to create a local weather of respect and inclusion that’s wanted for educational success,” the assertion mentioned.

Oakes, who had acquired a bid to affix Delta Chi, attended the bash the place he was going to be paired with a “huge brother.” He was advised to drink the bottle of liquor as a part of his initiation, and later handed out on a frat home sofa, the place he was discovered lifeless the subsequent morning.

The coroner’s workplace decided his reason for dying was alcohol poisoning.

Days after later, the college and the Delta Chi nationwide chapter suspended the native frat, ordering it to stop all actions. The fraternity was finally expelled in June 2021.

In September, eight college students have been additionally arrested and charged with prison hazing over Oakes’ dying.

“Adam was a beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, scholar and pal,” the joint assertion from his household and VCU mentioned. “He had an amazing future forward of him and his mindless dying introduced unspeakable ache and tragedy to all who knew him.”

With Submit wires